616 Polynemus Sele, or Isinglass Fish at Arracan. 



and small, are yearly caught. The Mughs split and clean 

 them, extracting the principal bones ; they then dry them in 

 the sun, without salting or otherwise preparing them, and 

 when dried, sell them at the rate of four or five for the rupee. 

 The value of the air-vessels has only lately become partially 

 known to the fishermen of Arracan, consequent on the settle- 

 ment of a few Chinese in this province. Until within the 

 last six or eight years, they always threw them away; but they 

 now preserve them, and sell them to petty merchants, at the 

 rate of from sixteen to eighteen for the rupee : which would 

 be eight rupees per maund for the very largest size usually 

 obtained, but about twenty for the average description. These 

 merchants again sell them to the Chinese, as the latter say, 

 at the rate of thirty rupees per maund, but it seems question- 

 able if they ever pay more than twenty-five. 



Three or four years ago, the air-vessels sold at thirty to 

 forty for the rupee ; but the demand has increased, and the 

 price risen, and it will increase still more, for a few Mughs 

 have recently taken them to Calcutta, and there obtained 

 thirty to thirty-five rupees a maund for them. 



The Chinese export the dried air-vessels, which sometimes 

 weigh about eight ounces, but more generally about four or 

 five ounces, to Penang and other eastern settlements, where 

 they are in great request. It is not possible to ascertain the 

 quantity exported, but it is believed that full 5000 lbs. might 

 annually be collected in Arracan, at an outlay of not more 

 than 1500 rupees. In the course of a few years, the supply 

 might of course be increased to an incalculable extent. The 

 Chinese sell them at Penang for forty or fifty dollars per 

 maund, or about 400 per cent, profit. 



Note. — In the April Number of the Calcutta Journal of Natural History, we 

 hope to be able to offer further information on this subject. To enable us to do 

 so, we trust that correspondents will favour us in the meantime with the latest 

 results. — Ed. 



